Words from Washington
June 25, 2002
Vol. 107 No. 21
In this issue . . .
Expansion Announced in Medicare Coverage for Vision Rehabilitation
Services
AFB Offers Section 255 Information and Accessible Web-Based
Complaint Form
Urgent Advocacy Needed on Instructional Materials Accessibility
Act (IMAA)
Committee Seeks Input on IDEA
Funding Available for Small Business Research Efforts
Justin Dart, Jr. Dies at 71
Expansion Announced in Medicare Coverage for Vision Rehabilitation Services
On May 29, 2002, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
issued a Program Memorandum stating that Medicare beneficiaries who are
blind or visually impaired are eligible for physician- prescribed
rehabilitation services from approved health care professionals. The
document goes on to say that these services can be provided on the same
basis as services provided to beneficiaries with other medical conditions
that result in reduced physical functioning. The memo was issued in
response to direction from Congress contained in a committee report. The
announcement, which was a surprise, comes in the midst of efforts to
persuade Congress to require Medicare reimbursement for rehabilitation
services needed by those who lose their vision. While the CMS decision
creates a national coverage policy for physician-prescribed rehabilitation
services, Medicare does not authorize reimbursement for specially-trained
vision rehabilitation professionals. Consequently, many advocates are
concerned that, standing alone, the CMS decision further enhances the role
of occupational therapists and physical therapists as the only
professionals reimbursed by Medicare to provide these services. Legislation
introduced by Representative Capuano and Senator Kerry (H.R. 2484 and S.
1967) would provide for reimbursement for orientation and mobility
specialists, rehabilitation teachers and low-vision therapists.
Several major Medicare reform proposals have also been put forward in
Congress. It is possible that H.R. 2484 and S. 1967 could be folded into
one of these. However, passage of any package is uncertain.
For further information, contact Paul Schroeder or visit the Web site
www.medicarenow.org .
AFB Offers Section 255 Information and Accessible Web-Based Complaint Form
AFB has designed an accessible web-based complaint form to assist consumers
with disabilities in filing complaints with the FCC about the accessibility
of telephones and telephone services. The form accompanies the revised
version of "How To Get An Accessible Telephone: Section 255 for People Who
Are Blind or Visually Impaired." The updated brochure briefly explains
consumer rights under the law and offers tips on filing a complaint.
Urgent Advocacy Needed on Instructional Materials Accessibility Act (IMAA)
Take a minute to call or fax your Representative or Senators with a message
asking them to cosponsor H.R. 4582 or S. 2246, the Instructional Material
Accessibility Act (IMAA). Textbooks.asp contains tools to identify your
Representative and Senators. You'll also find further information on IMAA
and links to bill status information on Thomas so you can follow the bills'
progress through Congress. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor
and Pensions, Subcommittee on Children and Families will hold a hearing on
S. 2246 on June 28 at 9:30 a.m. in 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building.
Contact with Senators on the Subcommittee would be especially valuable.
They are:
Christopher Dodd (D-CT), chairman 202-224-2823, Fax: 202- 224-1083
Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) 202-224-5521, Fax: 202-2224-2852
Paul Wellstone (D-MN) 202-224-5641, Fax: 202-224-8438
Patty Murray (D-WA) 202-224-2621, Fax: 202-224-0238
Jack Reed (D-RI) 202-224-4642, Fax: 202-224-4680
James Jeffords (I-VT) 202-224-5141, Fax: 202-228-0776
Susan Collins (R-ME) 202-224-2523, Fax: 202-224-2693
Bill Frist (R-TN) 202-224-3344, Fax: 202-2228-1264
John Warner (R-VA) 202-224-2023, Fax: 202-224-6295
Christopher (Kit) Bond (R-MO) 202-224-5721, Fax: 202-224- 8149
Mike DeWine (R-OH) 202-224-2315, Fax: 202-224-6519
Committee Seeks Input on IDEA
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has established a link
on the committee's website to gather public input on the reauthorization of
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. AFB has created idea.asp
to serve as a source of information on IDEA: the text and status of bills
that will eventually be introduced; relevant committees; testimony,
recommendations, related documents, and; links to related sites.
In another development, the President's Commission on Excellence in Special
Education has decided not to release draft recommendations as originally
expected. The final report is due to the President on July 1.
Funding Available for Small Business Research Efforts
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)and the
Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) of the Department of
Education, and the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) has
issued a notice inviting grant applications for new awards for Fiscal Year
2002. Up to $4,200,000 is available for new Phase I awards. The deadline
for submitting applications is July 10, 2002. To read a copy of the notice
use GPO's Federal Register Browse feature--go to May 13, 2002 and scroll
down to the Department of Education.
Justin Dart, Jr. Dies at 71
Justin Dart, Jr., a leader of the international disability rights movement
and a renowned human rights activist, died on June 22, 2002 at his home in
Washington D.C. Widely recognized as "the father of the Americans with
Disabilities Act," Dart was on the podium on the White House lawn when
President George H. Bush signed the ADA into law in July 1990.
Paul Schroeder, Alan Dinsmore, Joy Relton, and Barbara LeMoine are
contributors to WFW.
WFW is published by the American Foundation for the Blind, Governmental
Relations Group, 820 First Street, N.E., Suite 400 Washington, DC 20002,
202-408-0200, Fax: 202-289-7880, E-mail: [log in to unmask] Address questions
regarding subscriptions or content to Barbara Jackson LeMoine.
This report focuses on the most significant issues currently being
addressed by AFB's Governmental Relations Group, and is delivered to you
approximately biweekly via the Topica "Words from Washington" list. WFW is
available shortly after publication at www.afb.org/gov.asp.
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